Wet End Operator

ND Paper • Sturtevant, WI

5d • Onsite

About The Position

The Utility Operator – Corrugator is a cross-trained, flexible production role that keeps the 98″ Fosber corrugator running without gaps. This person works across the corrugator’s stations — splicer, bridge and preheaters, single facer, double backer, slitter/scorer, and knife/stacker — filling in for breaks and absences, assisting with roll changes and web threading, and catching board quality issues before they reach converting. The role exists to give corrugator supervisors a dependable, trained resource on the machine rather than pulling an operator from a running station or leaving a gap uncovered. The corrugator is the plant’s production engine. A utility operator who understands how the machine makes board — and what causes it to make bad board — is a meaningful contributor to uptime, waste reduction, and quality. This role is also a developmental pipeline: utility operators who demonstrate mechanical aptitude and consistent performance are natural candidates for full machine operator positions on the corrugator.

Requirements

• High school diploma or equivalent preferred; equivalent manufacturing or production experience considered.
• Prior experience in corrugated, paper, or heavy manufacturing preferred but not required.
• Overhead crane or forklift certification a plus; certification can be obtained on the job.
• Must be able to pass any pre-employment screening required by plant policy.
• Ability to learn multiple positions on a high-speed corrugator and retain procedures across stations.
• Mechanical aptitude and comfort working in a hot, fast-paced environment with large, moving machinery.
• Basic math skills for counting, measuring, and reading order specifications.
• Reliable attendance and willingness to rotate stations and shifts as production requires.
• Ability to read and follow written work instructions in English; bilingual (English/Spanish) communication is a plus given the plant’s workforce.
• Works effectively once trained and asks for direction before improvising on unfamiliar tasks or adjustments.
• Stands, walks, lifts, and bends throughout a full shift on a concrete production floor near a continuously running machine.
• Lifts and carries up to 50 lbs. regularly; assists with staged rolls using mechanical aids.
• Works in a hot environment — the corrugator runs steam and heated rolls — with exposure to noise, paper dust, and varying temperatures throughout the shift; required PPE (hearing protection, safety glasses, steel-toe footwear, heat-resistant gloves where applicable) must be worn at all times on the corrugator floor.
• Must be able to work assigned shift, including overtime and weekend coverage as production demands require.

Nice To Haves

• Bilingual in Mandarin/English a plus

Responsibilities

• Demonstrate safety as a core value and establish a safe work environment by actively leading the safe execution of work.
• Rotate across corrugator stations as assigned by the supervisor, learning correct operating procedures for each position.
• Understand the corrugator’s process flow — how the single facer, double backer, slitter/scorer, and knife interact — well enough to work at any station without disrupting the run.
• Assist with roll changes, including roll handling with the overhead crane or roll cart, paper webbing, and splice preparation on the splicer.
• Support preheater and wrap adjustments as directed by the machine operator or supervisor.
• Progress through the training matrix toward independent qualification on multiple stations within the 90-day milestone.
• Flag any adjustment outside of trained scope — including starch, heat, or pressure settings — to the operator or supervisor rather than improvising.
• Provide break relief and absence coverage across assigned corrugator stations without disrupting the scheduled run sequence.
• Respond promptly when called to cover an open station; communicate any delay to the supervisor immediately.
• Assist the machine crew during order changes: clearing the bridge, verifying new roll setup, and confirming slitter/scorer settings match the next order.
• Support stacker and takeaway operations — removing finished sheets, stacking, and clearing the runout table — to prevent backups that cause corrugator stops.
• Help manage roll inventory near the corrugator: staging paper rolls in the correct run sequence, reporting low-stock conditions, and moving consumed cores.
• Perform visual quality checks on running board: warp (end-to-end and side-to-side), adhesion, caliper, and print/score placement where applicable.
• Identify suspect board immediately and communicate to the operator or supervisor using the correct reason codes — do not allow defective board to pass to converting.
• Understand the primary causes of common corrugator quality defects — warp, delamination, washboarding, crushed flute — at a working level sufficient to describe what is happening, even if not responsible for the fix.
• Complete required quality and production paperwork accurately, including reason coding for any downtime or waste that occurs during covered stations.
• Follow all lockout/tagout (LOTO), guarding, and PPE requirements without exception. The corrugator presents pinch points, steam, and hot surfaces that require strict adherence.
• Operate the overhead crane or roll handling equipment only if trained and certified; report any equipment or rigging concern to the supervisor before continuing.
• Report near misses, unsafe conditions, and equipment issues immediately — not at the end of the shift.
• Maintain a clean corrugator floor: clear trim scrap, manage paper dust accumulation around the machine, and keep walkways free of waste board and debris.
• Participate in safety training and toolbox talks as scheduled.
• Move paper rolls using roll carts, cranes, or forklifts (if certified) in compliance with load limits and plant traffic rules.
• Stage rolls and medium in the correct sequence for the upcoming production schedule as directed by the supervisor or corrugator operator.
• Return cores to the designated area; assist with downtime material management including roll documentation.
• Coordinate with the warehouse or forklift operator when roll movement requires equipment beyond the utility operator’s current certification.
• Report downtime causes, board quality issues, and material gaps to the supervisor as they occur using correct reason codes.
• Participate in shift handoff communication so incoming crews understand any open machine issues, quality holds, or roll inventory concerns.
• Communicate any equipment anomaly — unusual noise, heat, vibration, or run behavior — to the supervisor or maintenance promptly, even if the machine is still running.

Benefits

• Medical, dental, and vision insurance as well as voluntary benefits such as accident insurance, hospital indemnity, and critical illness for you and your family.
• Financial protection benefits, including life insurance, disability insurance, and business travel accident insurance.
• Tax advantaged accounts such as Healthcare and Dependent Care Flexible Spending Account (FSA).
• Paid holidays, personal days, and vacation days to support work-life balance.
• A 401K retirement plan with a company match and annual fixed contribution
• Wellness programs with incentives and an on-site clinic available at our Rumford and Biron location.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Entry Level
• Education Level: High school or GED